By Fritzi Pieper | Mon, May 18, 15
We are back at it after LightFair International in New York City last week – what a show! This year marked a new frontier for the DesignLights Consortium with our own booth at the most future-focused conference and tradeshow in the lighting industry. With high traffic at our booth, we saw many familiar faces, made new connections and encountered some of the most innovative technologies the field has to offer. Manufacturers, laboratories and efficiency programs administrators, among others, had the opportunity to bring questions and issues to the DLC team in-person and form relationships and share ideas. Walking the floor, the presence of the DLC program appeared stronger than ever with the DLC logo highlighted throughout the show.
LightFair International is the place to see lighting products of tomorrow including prototypes and real world examples of solid state lighting technology that have safety and security capabilities and address occupancy and daylight with network functionality and easy user interfaces.
The shift in focus to controllability, communication and networked controls was compelling. DLC’s new Commercial Advanced Lighting Controls initiative which focuses on providing resources and tools to efficiency programs that are going to the next level of energy savings through lighting controls. DLC energy efficiency program members Dave Alexander from PG&E, Dan Mellinger from Efficiency Vermont and Liesel Schulte from Franklin Energy all presented on developments within the energy efficiency world.
The trade floor was an indication that the LED revolution is shifting to evolution. Highlights included Osram Sylvania’s award winning OmniPoint that allows users to adjust the throw of light output from a smart phone, GE’s smart street lights and Eaton’s Cooper Lighting’s color-tuning cans and aesthetic, edge-lit fixtures with high light output. Also notable were the partnerships of small, progressive companies with some of the larger names in the industry. This speaks to the change in outlook by manufacturing companies that continue to evolve and lead in the dynamic market of LEDs and lighting controls.
LightFair International continues to exhibit the leading edge of the lighting technology development wave. It’s a great venue to learn and meet stakeholders in the industry. With our booth, the DLC took a prominent position at the show, a reflection of the program’s position in the lighting market as it continues to address evolving needs of the industry and energy efficiency programs. With this year’s show behind us, we are already looking forward to LFI 2016 in San Diego!